Measurements of distances related to the mandibular canal in radiographs.

Before implant surgery in the mandibular side segment, it is of utmost interest to locate the mandibular canal in radiographs to avoid interference with the neurovascular bundle during surgery. Six mandibular specimens were radiographically examined with 2 panoramic and 3 tomographic techniques. The distances between the superior border of the canal and the alveolar crest and between the mandibular base and the inferior border of the canal were measured. In addition, the height of the canal was measured. The measurements were performed by 3 or 4 observers and compared with measurements on contact radiographs of the same areas. Tomography gave more accurate values of the above distances than panoramic techniques. The variation between observers in detecting the mandibular canal was large.